A 29-year-old man who disarmed a gunman during a deadly shooting inside a Nashville restaurant yesterday declined accolades from police and others that he was a hero, saying he acted out of a desire "to live".
James Shaw Jr, the father of a four-year-old daughter, told a news conference flanked by Nashville Mayor David Briley and local and federal law enforcement officials that he was thinking simply of self-preservation when he wrestled the assault-style rifle away from the assailant during the shooting in which four people were killed.
"I'm not a hero, I'm just a regular person," Mr Shaw said, pausing as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I just wanted to live."
Despite his humble recounting of the incident, police and others at the news conference stood and applauded him after his remarks.
Nashville Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron said Mr Shaw's actions saved lives.
"The shots had stopped, so he decided to rush the gunman, actually wrestled that assault rifle away, tossed it over the counter and, at that point, the gunman fled," he said.
Authorities said the suspected gunman, identified as 29-year-old Travis Reinking, remains at large.
Mr Shaw said that when he saw the gunman paused to reload, he saw his opportunity and snatched the gun, which he said was hot to the touch, and threw it away.
He sported a bandage over his right hand where he was burned grabbing the barrel.
"I didn't care. It was life or death at that time," Mr Shaw said at the news conference, adding he went home afterward, got changed and went to church.
He said the whole moment seemed "light-switch" fast.
"I just wanted to live. I didn't really fight that man to save everyone else," he said.
"I took the gun so I could get myself out. That may not be popular. But I'm honest to the core ... That was my thought in that moment."
The gunman, who was naked except for a green jacket, first shot and killed two people in the car park of the restaurant in Antioch, an area of southeast Nashville, shortly before 3.30am local time.
He then entered the restaurant and opened fire, police said, killing one patron and wounding another, who later died. Two other people were in critical condition at a hospital.
While the AR-15 rifle wrestled from the gunman and another weapon in his apartment were recovered, police said the suspect may have two more guns with him.
Police speculate that Mr Reinking ran home, grabbed a pair of pants and fled his apartment. A shirtless, shoeless man believed to be him was spotted in the woods nearby, police said.
Authorities said all four weapons - including a hunting rifle and handgun - were seized from Mr Reinking last July after he was arrested by the Secret Service for being in a restricted area near the White House.
Officials said he had gone there hoping to meet with President Donald Trump.
The weapons were taken from him by authorities at his home in Tazewell County, Illinois, police said, and were later handed over to the suspect's father.
Police said he then gave them back to his son.
The victims of the shooting have been identified as Waffle House employee Taurean C Sanderlin, 29, and customers Joe Perez, 20, DeEbony Groves, 21, and 23-year-old Akilah Dasilva.
Police hunting for the gunman searched public schools through the night to make sure they would be safe when they reopen.
All Metro Nashville Public schools in the area were searched and will be checked again before school opens, officials said on the department's Facebook page. Extra security will be in place at school bus stops. Schools will be on "lock-out", barring all visitors.
"Metro Nashville Public Schools Parents always have the final decision on whether to send their child to school," the statement said.
